GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 17: Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell, Majority Shareholder Dermot Desmond, and Chief Executive Officer Michael Nicholson (L-R) during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park, on May 17, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Last night in Austria Dermot Desmond dropped in on Celtic for the first time this season.
With a 3-0 first leg lead it looked like a fairly straightforward route back into the riches of the Champions League.
Vindication for his statement last season about Brendan Rodgers.
The manager that had pushed for ambition at Celtic.
Who won 12 Champions League points in one campaign.
Who took Celtic into a Round of 16 Play Off against Bayern Munich. Pushing the German legends into the 177th minute before seeing Celtic off.
A campaign that included goal-less draws away to Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb.
Last night in Austria Celtic conceded 38 shots to LASK. Champions of Austria for the first time in 61 years.
Watching not so comfortably were the three most significant figures at Celtic.
DESMOND AND THE CULTURE OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FAILURE
CEO Michael Nicholson, Chairman Brian Wilson and Desmond- the biggest individual shareholder in the club.
An image of complete disconnect. Desmond and Wilson have been boardroom colleague for 20 years, they know the movie and script inside out.
This is all down to these cowards (again). Instead of having a full squad ready and able to prepare for a single qualifying round, they waited (again). They make me sick to my stomach. JUST GO!! pic.twitter.com/II1SfL2lS8
— The Retro Celtic? (@RetroCeltic) August 26, 2026
Over the last 12 months the trio above have forced Rodgers into resigning, sacked Paul Tisdale, hired and fired Wilfried Nancy.
And still the same people make the big decisions.
In June 2023 Nicholson revealed that the aims of the club was to be world class in everything that they do.
Over the last two years Nicholson has been prolific at selling players. HMRC are delighted at the annual Corporation Tax bill.
Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda have been sold.
With Alistair Johnston injured Nicholson decided to sell Arne Engels. It had been known for seven months that the Belgian midfielder was looking to leave Celtic.
This summer Celtic have signed four players.
Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran for the one position of striker.
Mika Baur in midfield. At the club less than a fortnight, two of his three appearances have been in the Champions League. It is questionable if Baur knows the names of all of last night’s Celtic substitutes.
Haissem Hassan was signed but judged to be behind Sebastian Tounekti in usefulness last night.
Celtic face some very challenging times in the coming weeks.
Fans can prepare for the traditional policy of silence. Some new kit launches could be delayed.
